VIERA, Fla. — After some vicious storms overnight and a cloudy morning here at Space Coast Stadium, the sun is beginning to emerge and we will have baseball this afternoon.

The Cardinals are back in town for the third time this spring, bringing their entire "A" lineup, aside from Albert Pujols. The reigning MVP was actually supposed to make this trip, but manager Tony La Russa decided at the last minute not to subject Pujols (who has battled some back issues this spring) to the two-hour bus ride up I-95.

John Lannan, still the Nats' presumptive Opening Day starter even though that hasn't been made official, is on the mound for the home team. The left-hander has had a very nice, unspectacular spring, which is exactly what you want out of your top starter. He could go as many as six innings today if he keeps his pitch count down.

Doc: Coaches have generally had good things to say about Morse. He's a good athlete overall, came up as a shortstop before he outgrew the position. He's not really going to be above-average at any one position, but he'll hold his own at first base, right field and left field.

peric, according to baseball reference, 3B was *not* his main position in syracuse. he played nearly twice as many games at 1B (27) as he did at 3B (15). i often wonder where you get your information.presuming you don't live in syracuse and didn't watch him play those 15 games, what is your basis for saying he plays 3B pretty well?

Plus, Pudge hasn't caught all nine innings in any one game yet. This year is probably a breeze compared to last season not having to play winter ball, the Classic than a shortened Spring Training with a new team.